The DCI.org interview: Amy Brown, Crossmen color guard

Name, age, hometown: Amy Brown, I am 19 years old, and I live in Hagerstown, Md.
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer: I march with the Crossmen, and I am with the color guard

Amy Brown

Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. In high school I did color guard freshman through senior year, did concert band freshman through junior year playing the flute and oboe, and this will be my second year with the Crossmen color guard.
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? One of my good friends from high school marched Crossmen, and just watching them practice and perform, and throw it down on the field, I just loved it.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I remember watching it on PBS. Also seeing my friends, and them coming home and telling me all the cool stories and memories they have gathered just made me really excited about marching drum corps.
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Go to an audition and try out. You don't know if you can do it unless you try. Yes, it's a lot of hard work, but it all pays off when you perform in front of thousands of people cheering for you.
Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? During this past summer the staff and guard bus had their own little prom. We were all dancing and having a fabulous time. When the staff stepped off their bus at a rest stop all decked out in there clothes it was the funniest thing ever. I never knew what type of clothing you can make with scraps of clothing on a bus. It's great! Then we decided to toilet paper the brass and percussion bus. But don't worry, they got us back. What great memories.
The last great film I saw: "The Notebook." Nothing can beat that movie. It's such a good chick flick that I can watch over and over again. It's good to have a good cry once in a while, and just hoping that you can have that love someday.
Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: I go to Hagerstown Community college, majoring in elementary education, and hopefully transferring to Shippensburg University in Pa.
Jobs I have/have had: I work at Curves Gym part time. I love it there, because I get to work out and help women feel good about themselves, and I also teach color guard at a local high school. Finally, I substitute teach whenever they need me.
My favorite TV show: Hmmm -- I would have to say "American Idol," "Amazing Race," and MTV's "Real World/Road Rules" challenge. I love those reality shows. I have plenty more but that would take me forever.
Favorite performers: The Crossmen of course! Black Watch winter guard are great performers, and on the music side, I saw Celine Dion in concert in Las Vegas, and those dancers, and even Celine, were breathtaking.
How do you "blow off steam?" I go online and just start typing as fast as I can to people who don't mind me getting things off my chest to them. I also just sit in my room and watch television, and do some crunches, and run for a little bit.
What has been your formative drum corps moment? When I was told I made the Crossmen color guard, and two weeks into spring training I was a part of the rifle line. A dream come true for me.
Best drum corps show ever: Blue Devils show in '99, Crossmen's '03 show, and finally, the Cavaliers show this past year in '04 -- I can never say no to just one show.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Seeing all of my old friends again, and meeting new ones. Performing in front of thousands of people, getting yelled at, and getting a tan!
Best thing about being in a drum corps: Knowing that you are a part of something, and appreciated for what you are doing, and knowing that working your butt off everyday pays off every night when you perform.
Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Sleeping on a bus and on gym floors, taking cold showers, having to practice while the tornado siren is going off. Yeah Kansas! And finally, rain.
During tour, the best part of the day is: Eating, taking a shower, doing a final run- through, and throwing down a show at night.
During tour, the worst part of the day is: Running, and in the morning hearing, "Good morning Crossmen, you have 10 minutes until stretch and run."
What I want to be when I "grow up": So far when I am done graduating from college, I want to be an elementary school teacher, and I just want to be happy.
Feel free to add anything else you'd like. "When all else is gone, the bones still remain."